Pari-mutuel off-track betting system

ABSTRACT

An off-track betting system in which a plurality of ticket issuing machines at off-track locations permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data. The parallel output signals are encoded and sequentially gated in groups corresponding to respective ticket issuing machines. Each group of parallel output signals is thereafter multiplexed to provide a serial signal for transmission over a telephone line or radio link to a central pari-mutuel totalizer or computer at another location where multiplex decoders and logic gates process the signal for input to the totalizer or computer. Upon acceptance of a bet transaction by the totalizer, a return signal actuates the ticket issue machine to issue an appropriate ticket.

United States Patent Oswald et al.

[54] PARl-MUTUEL OFF-TRACK BETTING SYSTEM [45) Oct. 10,1972

3,505,646 4/1970 Affel ..235/6l .9 X

Primary ExaminerRalph D. Blakeslee [72] Inventors: Robert A. Oswald, PO. Box 458,

Gardnerville, Nev. 89410; James R. and Twnsend Bull, I940 Covina Drive, Sparks, TR Nev. 89430 [57] ABS CT An off-track betting system in which a plurality of [73] Asslgnee' sud Oswald by Sam ticket issuing machines at off-track locations permit [22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1971 selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output Appl' 165343 signals corresponding to the input data. The parallel Related Application Data output signals are encoded and sequentially gated in D groups corresponding to respective ticket issuing Conllnuallofl Of 5811 N June machines. Each group of parallel output signals is 1969, abandonedthereafter multiplexed to provide a serial signal for transmission over a telephone line or radio link to a [52] U.S. Cl. ..l79/l5 A, 235/619 R central pari-mutuel totalizer or computer at another lnt.Cl ..H04j 3/00 location where multiplex decoders and logic gates Fidd Search 15 2 P; process the signal for input to the totalizer or coml78/l7.5, 66; 340/1725, 147, 310, 323, 351, puter. Upon acceptance of a bet transaction by the 152, I54; 235/619 totalizer, a return signal actuates the ticket issue machine to issue an appropriate ticket. [56] References Cited 3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,314,051 4/1967 Willcox ..340/l72.5

GROUP ENABLE t LOGIC GROUP CODER 23 TICKET TYPE A '8 ISSUE GROUP CODER MACHINE TYPE A 35 i GROUP CODER TYPE B TICKET l2 '8 ISSUE GROUP CODER COMMAND TICKET TYPE A Loam 1 ISSUE l8 MACHINE jlsagg CgDERF TELbRLINE a 2 2o RADIO LINK ZI QQ Q F OR INTERFACE I 3 3| GROUP CODERl TICKET TYPE A TIME DIV. J FSK ISSUE TONE GROUP CODER M LTIP EX MACHINE M U L TRANSMITTER GROUP CODER CODER TYPE B PMENTEDHM 1 I912 3.697.698

SHEEI 2 OF 7 23 F IG 2 H1 J ERTER 63 44 FLIP FLOP INVENTORJ ROBERT A. OSWALD JAMES R. BULL BY v haw/ 17 ATTORNEYS PATENTED B 10 I97? 3 697.698

SHEET 7 BF 7 AN -1 J -9 ToNE sENsE I TICKET ISSUE 9 r lO 6 j COMMAND I A} l TRANSACTION I I swam LOGIC LATCH I '0 u CIRCUIT 1 l 1 I04 I TICKET I I 'SSUE TICKET I MACHINE I ISSUE L MACHINE I FAILURE I ALARM I02 TIME I DELAY I L lOb' J INVENTORS ROBERT A OSWALD JAMES R. BULL ATTORNEYS PARI-MUTUEL OFF-TRACK BETTING SYSTEM This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 829,964 filed June 3, I969.

This invention relates to a new pari-mutuel off-track betting system which permits betting from off-track locations at track odds up to the time of the race.

In pari-mutuel betting, all betting on a particular race is compiled in a total pool and the winners share in the total stakes less a percentage for the management. Parimutuel betting from off-track sites is presently orally reported to the track location by telephone and must be terminated approximately a half hour before the race because of the time delay in processing data received from the off-track location.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new pari-mutuel off-track betting system which permits off-track betting according to track odds up to the time of the race.

Another object of the invention is to provide an off track betting system in which data corresponding to a bet transaction received from ticket issue machines at off-track locations is automatically transmitted to the central parimutuel totalizer or computer for processing, and in which the ticket issue machines at off-track locations automatically issue appropriate tickets in response to signals transmitted from the central pari-mutuel totalizer or computer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a data processing system for pari-mutuel off-track betting which permits automatic transmission of off-track bet transaction data by means ofa telephone line or a radio link to the central pari-mutual totalizer or computer.

In order to accomplish these results, the present invention contemplates providing at off-track locations a plurality of ticket issuing machines, each adapted to permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and to provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data. Each machine is also responsive to appropriate signals for issuing tickets. An encoder digitally encodes the parallel output signals which are sequentially gated by logic circuitry in groups of parallel output signals corresponding to the respective ticket issuing machines.

According to another aspect of the invention, a multiplex coder is provided to multiplex as by, for example, time division multiplexing, the gated parallel output signals from the machines to provide a serial signal for transmission by a telephone line or radio link to a central totalizer or computer which compiles data from both the off-track and on-track betting locations. At the central computer or totalizer, the serial multiplex signal is decoded and gated to provide sequential groups of parallel output signals corresponding to the respective ticket issue machines at the off-track betting sites. Further decoding and logic circuitry prepares the data for processing by the central computer or totalizer.

After the data from a proposed bet transaction at an off-track betting site has been processed by the central totalizer and accepted, a return signal is transmitted over the telephone line or radio link to the off-track betting site where it is processed and gated to actuate the appropriate ticket issue machine for issuing a ticket.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

FIG. I is a block diagram of the off-track installation of a system of parimutuel off-track betting according to the present invention.

FIGS. 20 and 2b are diagrams of logic circuits for two types of coders for output signas from the ticket issue machines.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of group enable logic circuitry for sequentially gating the groups of parallel output signals from respective ticket issue machines.

FIG. 4 is a time flow chart representing in time signals at the various inputs and outputs of the group enable logic circuitry shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the decoder and gating circuitry installed at the track or at the location of the central totalizer.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of portions of the installa tion at the on-track site or at the site of the central totalizer showing circuitry for handling a return signal for transmission to the off-track betting site for actuating the appropriate ticket issue machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the logic gating circuit at the off-track site for gating a return signal to the appropriate ticket issue machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing logic circuitry for dropping a ticket issue machine which is inoperative due to a malfunction of the machine.

In the off-track installation diagrammatically illustrated in HQ 1, ticket issue machines II, 12 and 13 are provided at off-track betting sites. The system is readily adaptable to any number of machines, but three are shown here by way of example. Each ticket issue machine is provided with a control panel for selecting and entering the data required for a proposed bet transaction as in conventional ticket issue machines. Each machine is modified, however, to supply a sense voltage indicating entry of a complete betting transaction into the machine. The machine is also modified to accept an external voltage level to actuate the machine and initiate issuance of a ticket under appropriate circumstances hereinafter described.

Upon entry of a complete bet transaction, parallel signals are provided along three sets of lines from the ticket issue machine. One set of lines I5 consists of 5 wires with 5 contacts at the machine corresponding to the type of bet selected. Thus, the operator may select from the daily double, forecast, win, place, or show events. Depending upon which type of bet is selected a signal appears at one of the 5 lines in the group 15. The set of lines 16 consists of 14 wires corresponding to the standard number of horses in the racing field. If the daily double has been selected, the signal on one of the lines 16 indicates the horse selected in the first race of the daily double. If forecast has been selected, a signal one of the lines 16 indicates the horse selected to finish first. For win, place, and show, the signal on one ofthe lines 16 indicates a bet on the winning horse, place horse, and show horse, respectively. A second group of lines I? also includes [4 lines corresponding to the standard number of horses in the field. The set of lines 17 is required for the daily double and forecast events. Betting in the daily double involves betting on a horse in each of two separate races while betting in the forecast event involves betting on two horses in the same race. Thus, if the daily double is selected, a signal along one of the lines 17 indicates the horse selected in the second race, while, if the forecast event is selected,

a signal on one of the lines [7 indicates the horse selected to finish second in the same race.

The parallel outputs from each ticket issue machine on completion of entry of a bet transaction pass through encoders 18 or 20. The type A encoders 18 accept the voltage level from one of the [4 inputs of either of the groups of lines 16 or 17 and converts the format from a l4-line input code to a four-line output code, such as, for example, a 8-4-2-| binary coded decimal output. The type B encoder 20 accepts a voltage level or signal from one of the five lines from the group of lines and converts the format from a fiveline input code to a three-line output code. This code is similar to the fourline binary coded decimal output format for the encoders 18 except that one line is eliminated because there is no need for the additional bit ofinformation.

The type B coder 20 is illustrated in FIG. 2b. As shown in that diagram, a signal appears along one of the five lines of the group of lines corresponding to the type of bet selected, namely, daily double, forecast, win, place, or show. This signal is encoded by a group of or-gates 21 which lead to and-gates 22 which pass the encoded signal only when it is coincident with an enable signal 23 as hereinafter described.

Returning to FIG. 1, as completed transactions are entered at a plurality of ticket issue machines, the en coded outputs from coders l8 and are sequentially gated in groups corresponding to the respective ticket issue machines by the group enable-logic 25. The group enable logic 25 consists ofa ring counter as hereinafter described with a series ofstages in number correspond ing to the number ofticket issue machines. The sequential signals 23 generated by the group enable-logic 25 sequentially gate the outputs from the coders l8 and 20 in groups corresponding to the respective machine in the manner shown in FIG. 2b. Thus, the encoded signals are anded" with the group-enable signal 23 so that the encoded signals pass only when coincident with the enable-signal 23. The parallel encoded signals from a ticket issue machine thereafter pass to the input of a time division multiplex coder which time division multiplexes the parallel input into a serial output for modulating a frequency shift key tone transmitter 3!. The modulated tone passes through a telephone line or radio link interface 32 for transmission along a telephone line or radio link to the central pari-mutuel totalizer or computer, not shown. Upon processing and acceptance of an off-track bet transaction, an acknowledge signal generated by the computer and transmitted back along the telephone line or radio link is gated by the ticket issue command logic 35 to actuate the appropriate ticket issue machine for issuance of a ticket corresponding to the accepted bet transaction as hereinafter described.

The group enable-logic 25 is set forth in the logic diagram of FIG. 3 The circuit consists of a ring counter using three stages formed by three flip-flops 45, cor responding to the number ofticket issue machines. The number of stages can be expanded corresponding to whatever number of ticket issue machines is usedv The ring counter is stepped by clock pulses received from line and gated through the and-gate 4l which is in turn controlled by or-gate 42 and the inverter 43, The or-gate 42 has three inputs and is normally in a state of logical zero with no signal at the output providing a logic I to the and-gate 4| by means of the inverter 43. The clock pulses on line 40 therefore pass through andgate 41 sequentially stepping the flip-flops 45. When a complete bet transaction has been entered into one of the three ticket issue machines at the off-track location, a logical 1 signal level appears at one of the and gates 44 along one of the lines 62, 63, or 64 from that machine. In the meantime, the ring counter, including flip-flops 45 and and-gates 46, is normally stepping through its three positions. In the process of stepping through the three positions the ring counter provides an output at one of the gates 44 coincident with the signal derived from the ticket issue machine in which a completed bet transaction has been entered. At the time of coincidence, the and-gate 44 corresponding to that machine will shift to a logic 1 signal level. This signal is conducted along one of the lines 23 corresponding to the appropriate ticket issue machine thereby providing an enabling signal along one of the lines 23 to pass data through the appropriate coders l8 and 20. At the same time a logic I signal appears at the output of or-gate 42 which through the inverter 43 produces a zero level signal at the and-gate 41 which gates the clock pulse 40. In the absence of a clock pulse, the ring counter freezes in that position until the bet transaction with the selected issue machine is completed. I

The operation of the group enable-logic circuit 25 can be more readily understood by reference to the time flow charts of FIG. 4. Line represents the clock pulse at the input of and-gate 41, while line 5] represents the output from and-gate 41. Lines 52, 53 and 54 represent the signals at outputs SS, 56 and 57 of flip-flops 45 of the ring counter. Lines 58, 60 and 6i represent signals at the sense lines 62, 63 and 64 from the ticket issue machines along which the signal is transmitted indicating entry of a complete bet transaction. Through time periods T-l through T-4, the ring counter is normally stepping through its three positions. At the end of time period T-4, however, as the ring counter steps to the second position providing a signal 53 along line 56, a logic I level 60 has appeared on line 63 coincident with the logic I level on line 56 at an and-gate 44. At the beginning of time period T-5, therefore, the output from and-gate 4] remains at the zero level placing the ring counter in the second position until the bet transaction at the second machine has been completed. In the meantime, during the time period T6 a logic I level signal 58 appears on line 62 indicating the entry of a bet transaction in the first ticket issue machine. When the signal 60 on line 63 falls to zero indication completion of the first transaction, a signal out of the and-gate 4| steps the ring counter to the third position coincident with which a recently appearing signal 6l on the third line 64 from a bet transaction entered in the third machine initiates the same procedure for completion of the transaction entered in the third machine, The transaction entered in the first machine therefore awaits its turn until the ring counter has returned to the first position. Thus, when a complete proposed bet transaction has been entered into one of the ticket issue machines, the machine generates a transaction sense signal which is sensed at the group cnable-logic 25 to lock the ring counter of the group enable-logic at the position of the ticket issue machine in which the complete transaction has been entered when the ring counter reaches that position in its normal sequence. The machine is wired so that only certain combinations of buttons corresponding to permitted bets produce a sense signal output to the group enable-logic. The transaction sense signal locks the group enable-logic in that position until the input data has been processed by the central computer and a ticket issued by the machine. Once a ticket has been issued, the machine resets itself, extinguishing the transaction sense signal thereby permitting the group enable-logic to step in sequence to the next machine.

As the group enable-logic sequentially passes groups of parallel signals from respective ticket issue machines the parallel signals are time division multiplexed into a serial signal for transmission along a telephone line or radio link to the central pari-mutuel totalizer. Transmission can be accomplished by means of, for example, a frequency shift key tone transmitter 31 via an interface 32 to either a telephone line or radio link.

At the track location or other site at which the central totalizer is located, the transmitted serially multiplexed signal is received and routed to time division multiplex decoders 70, 71, or 72, in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines at off-track locations. From the serial multiplexed signals, the time division multiplex decoders provide parallel output signals in groups corresponding to the ticket issue machines from which they were generated. The parallel groups of output signals are gated by logic group gates 73 and group enable-logic 75 so that only parallel outputs from a ticket issue machine with respect to which a bet transaction is being processed are passed. The sequential gating ofthe parallel groups of output signals is accomplished by the group enable-logic 75 similar to the circuit described in FIG. 3. By means of the group gating circuit 73, parallel outputs from the time division multiplex decoders 70 corresponding to signals generated by a ticket issue machine are anded with the sequential signals from the group enable-logic 75. During processing of input data from a ticket issue machine, the group enable-logic 75, in the same manner as the group enable-logic 25 of FIG. 21 senses the presence of transaction signals and temporarily stops, holding open the appropriate gates until the particular bet transaction is completed. Thereafter the ring counter in the group enable-logic 75 steps along to the next set of gates in the manner heretofore described.

The parallel outputs from group gating circuits 73 pass along lines 76 to binary coded decimal decoders and further logic circuitry to the central pari-mutuel totalizer or computer. Such totalizers or computers are well known in the art, such as, for example, the totalizer sold by Automatic Totalizers, Ltd, Nancarrow Avenue, Meadowbank, N.S.W., Australia, under the trademark PREMlER," and are generally referred to as a "Tote. That abbreviation is used in FIGS. 6 and 6a. After the data corresponding to a bet transaction has been processed by the totalizer, an acknowledge signal is generated for return to the appropriate ticket issue machine at the off-track site.

In order to provide an error check for the data processed by the off-track betting system described herein, parity check bits can be generated and interleaved in the signal transmitted from the off-track installation. At the on-track site, the decoders can be provided with parity check circuitry for analyzing the parity bits associated with the transmitted data for comparison and for generating an error signal in the event an error has been detected. ln the event an error is detected, an error signal is provided at the ticket issue machine at which the transaction originated.

FIGS. 6 and 6a are block diagram setting forth the circuitry for processing an acknowledge signal at the track location or the site where the totalizer or computer is located. The totalizer is provided with logic circuitry for generating an acknowledge signal upon completion of processing of the data corresponding to a bet transaction. A tote acknowledge signal appearing on line is processed by on-track ticket issue signalling circuitry 81 connected in conjunction with the time division multiplex decoders, two of which are shown in FIG. 6. The on-track ticket issue signalling circuits 8! generate a tone for transmission along the telephone line of a radio link to the off-track sites at which the bet transaction originated, thereby providing a ticket issue command signal. Referring to FIG. 6a, the on-track ticket issue signalling circuits 81 include an initial and-gate 82 having three inputs. One input is for the tote acknowledge signal received along line 80 from the tote acknowledge logic associated with the totalizer or computer. A second input is derived from the group enable-logic 75 to sequentially gate the return signal. As heretofore described, the group enable-logic 75 opens the appropriate gate during the time required for completion of the particular bet transaction being processed and thereafter steps to the next gate. A third input to and-gate 82 is derived from the time division multiplex decoder 70, 71, etc. with which it is associated. The third input consists of the output of and-gate 83 whose two inputs are derived from the decoder and from the output of and-gate 82 which is inverted by means of inverter 84. Thus, the third input to and-gate 82 is at a logic value I only when a bet transaction is being processed through the decoder with which it is associated and when a tone has not yet been generated by the on-track ticket issue signalling circuitry itself. As soon as an output appears at andgate 82, a gated tone signal generator is actuated to generate a tone signal for transmission to the off-track site. At the same time, the output signal 82 passes through an inverter 84 shutting off and-gate 83 which, in turn, shuts off and-gate 82 so that the group enablelogic 75 releases and steps on to the next signalling decoder. The pulse tone signal which is generated by generator 85 thereafter passes through line 86 for transmission to the off-track site by either a telephone line or a radio link. The and-gates 83 as heretofore described facilitate handling of additional stations.

Upon transmission back to the off-track betting site, the ticket issue signal actuates the ticket issue command logic 35 shown in detail in HO. 7. The tone sense receiver 90 senses the transmitted tone and generates a signal which passes through gate 9i to one of a series of and-gates 92 in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines at the off-track location. The ticket issue signal generated by the tone senser 90 is directed to each of the and-gates 92 where it is anded with an enable signal from the group enable-logic 25. Thus, the

ticket issue signal is only passed through the and-gate 92 at which an enabling signal is coincident. As heretofore described, the group enable-logic 25 provides enabling signals sequentially along a series of lines in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines at oft-track locations. When a complete bet transaction has been entered into a ticket machine, the output from the machine is ended with one of the lines from the group enable-logic so that the'output from a plurality of ticket issue machines is sequentially gated by the group enable-logic. Once the output from a ticket issue machine is coincident with a signal from the group enahie-logic, the group enable-logic senses the presence of a transaction and freezes at that position permitting the output signals from the ticket issue machine to be transmitted to the on-track site or other location of the central computer, processed, and acknowledged by a ticket issue signal. The returning ticket issue signal is, in turn, gated by the same group enable-logic so that it is routed to the appropriate ticket issue machine with respect to which the bet transaction is being processed. The returning ticket issue signal passing through one of the gates 92 coincident with a signal from the group enable-logic therefore actuates the appropriate ticket issue machine for issuance of a ticket. The issuance of the ticket is sensed by the group enable-logic as heretotore described which thereafter steps through its normal round robin sequence to the variousticket issue machines at the off-track location until another transaction is sensed.

As shown in FIG. I, signals from the group enablelogic 25 are also utilized to gate or actuate the time division multiplex coder 30 via or-gate 24. Thus, whenever an enabling signal is generated by the group enable-logic 25 a signal appears at the output of or-gate 24 thereby providing a signal at the time division multiplex coder coincident with signals from the ticket issue machines thereby actuating coding of the signals for transmission.

In the event that a ticket issue machine becomes inoperative due to an electrical or mechanical malfunction, circuitry is provided for dropping the ticket issue machine from the scanning sequence of the group enable-logic 25. As shown in FIG. 8, a ticket issue signal command returning to the ticket issue machine ll along the line 101 is directed not only to the ticket machine ll but also to and-gate 102. The second input to and-gate 102 is a sensed signal from ticket issue machine ll indicating that a transaction has been entered for processing. Thus, the output from and-gate I02 is a logic level 1 upon the presence of a ticket issue signal and a transaction signal from the ticket issue machine I]. The output of and-gate I02 passes through a time delay element [03 which may be, for example, a 50 ms time delay. If the ticket issue machine has not issued a ticket and reset at the end of the time delay period the continued logic level I signal at the output of and-gate I02 propagates and initiates a failure alarm I04 and, in addition, latches a set-reset latch circuit 105 which applies a logic zero to the and-gate I06. The transaction sense signal from ticket issue machine ll along line [07 is therefore blocked by and-gate 106 thereby releasing the group enable-logic permitting it to shift to the next machine. As long as the ticket issue machine is inoperative the absence of a transaction signal at the output of gate [06 permits the group enable-logic to lay-pass ticket issue machine I! as it steps sequentially from machine to machine. When the malfunction of the ticket Issue machine is corrected, latch circuit 105 and the failure alarm 104 can be manually reset. Alarm 104 can be either a visual or an aural alarm. or both.

The time delay period selected for time delay element 103 isapproximately four times the machine operating time in order to accommodate short self-correcting delays in the operation of the machine.

We claim:

1. An automated off-track betting system for use with a central computer comprising:

A. a plurality of ticket issue machines at off-track locations, each machine adapted to permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data each machine further adapted to provide a transaction sense signal upon entry of a complete bet transaction and to respond to appropriate acknowledge signals for issuing tickets;

B. means for digitally encoding the output signals from the ticket issued machines;

C. first gating means for sequentially gating theoutput signals from said ticket issue machines in groups corresponding to bet transactions at the ticket issue machines including means for sequentially scanning the outputs from said ticket issue machines, means for sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal at each machine, means for halting said scanning means at a ticket issue machine upon sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal indicating entry of a complete bet transaction, means for passing the output signals corresponding to the bet transaction through the gating means for processing, and means for restarting said scanning means through the sequential scanning of die outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising:

1. a ring counter comprising a plurality of flip-flop stages in number corresponding to the number of ticket issue machines;

2. clock means for generating clock pulses for stepping said ring counter,

3. a plurality of "and" gates in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines. each "and" gate having a first input from the output of a different one of the stages of the ring counter and a second input coupled with the transaction sense signal from a different one of said ticket issue machines whereby an enable signal appears at the output of one of said and" gates upon the coincidence of a ring counter output signal and a transaction sense signal at the input of said "and" gate for gating the output signals corresponding to a completed bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;

4. and means for gating the clock pulses to halt the ring counter whenever an output appears at one of the plurality of "and" gates whereby the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines is halted until completion of processing of the bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;

D. means for multiplexing said gated output signals from the ticket issue machines to provide a serial signal for transmission to the central computer;

E. means for transmitting said serial signal;

F. multiplex decoder means at the location for decoding said transmitted serially multiplexed signal into a plurality of parallel output signals;

G. second gating means for sequentially gating said parallel output signals in groups corresponding to the off-track ticket issue machines for input to the central computer for processing and acknowledgment;

H. means for generating an acknowledge signal at the central computer;

I. means for transmitting the acknowledge signal to the off-track location at which the bet transaction originated;

J. means for receiving an acknowledge signal at the off-track location transmitted from the central computer and for gating said signal to provide a ticket issue signal to the corresponding ticket issue machine from which the bet transaction originated;

K. and means for locking the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine until the bet transaction data has been processed and acknowledged by the central computer and a ticket has been issued by the machine and means for terminating the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine upon issuance of the ticket whereby the first gating means is restarted to continue sequential scanning of the outputs ofthe ticket issue machines.

2. An automated off track betting system as set forth in claim I wherein is provided means for sensing a malfunction of a ticket issue machine in failing to issue a ticket upon receipt of an acknowledge signal and for enabling said first gating means to restart sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising:

a first "and" gate having as a first input the acknowledge signal received from the central computer to initiate issuance of a ticket from a ticket issue machine and having as a second input the transaction sense signal of the ticket issue machine;

a time delay element in the output line from said and" gate having a time delay longer by a specified amount than the normal time required for the ticket issue machine to issue a ticket in response to the acknowledge signal and shut off the transaction sense signal;

a failure alarm coupled to the output from the said time delay;

a latch circuit coupled to the output from said time delay set by a signal propagating from the time delay;

and a second gate for gating the transaction sense signal from the ticket issue machine with the out put from said latch circuit to block the transaction central computer w ,0 sense signal when the latch circuit is set so that the malfunctioning ticket issue machine is by-passed by the sequential scanning means. 3. An automated off-track betting system for use ith acentr lco ter com risin A. a plura ity o iiizket issu macqnnes at off track locations, each machine adapted to permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data each machine further adapted to provide a transaction sense signal upon entry of a complete bet transaction and to respond to appropriate acknowledge signals for issuing tickets;

B. means for digitally encoding the output signals from the ticket issued machines;

C. first gating means for sequentially gating the output signals from said ticket issue machines in groups corresponding to bet transactions at the ticket issue machines including means for sequentially scanning the outputs from said ticket issue machines, means for sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal at each machine, means for halting said scanning means at a ticket issue machine upon sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal indicating entry of a complete bet transaction, means for passing the output signals corresponding to the bet transaction through the gating means for processing, and means for restarting said scanning means through the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising:

1. a ring counter comprising a plurality of flip-flop stages in number corresponding to the number of ticket issue machines;

2. clock means for generating clock pulses for stepping said ring counter;

3. a plurality ofand" gates in number equal to the number ofticket issue machines, and "and" gate having a first input from the output ofa different one of the stages of the ring counter and a second input coupled with the transaction sense signal from a different one of said ticket issue machines whereby an enable signal appears at the output of one of said and gates upon the coincidence of a ring counter output signal and a transaction sense signal at the input of said "and" gate for gating the output signals corresponding to a completed bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;

4. and means for gating the clock pulses to halt the ring counter whenever an output appears at one of the plurality of "and" gates whereby the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines is halted until completion of processing of the bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;

D. and, means for multiplexing said gated output signals from the ticket issue machines to provide a serial signal for transmission to the central computer. 

1. An automated off-track betting system for use with a central computer comprising: A. a plurality of ticket issue machines at off-track locations, each machine adapted to permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data each machine further adapted to provide a transaction sense signal upon entry of a complete bet transaction and to respond to appropriate acknowledge signals for issuing tickets; B. means for digitally encoding the output signals from the ticket issued machines; C. first gating means for sequentially gating the output signals from said ticket issue machines in groups corresponding to bet transactions at the ticket issue machines including means for sequentially scanning the outputs from said ticket issue machines, means for sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal at each machine, means for halting said scanning means at a ticket issue machine upon sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal indicating entry of a complete bet transaction, means for passing the output signals corresponding to the bet transaction through the gating means for processing, and means for restarting said scanning means through the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising:
 1. a ring counter comprising a plurality of flip-flop stages in number corresponding to the number of ticket issue machines;
 2. clock means for generating clock pulses for stepping said ring counter;
 3. a plurality of ''''and'''' gates in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines, each ''''and'''' gate having a first input from the output of a different one of the stages of the ring counter and a second input coupled with the transaction sense signal from a different one of said ticket issue machines whereby an enable signal appears at the output of one of said ''''and'''' gates upon the coincidence of a ring counter output signal and a transaction sense signal at the input of said ''''and'''' gate for gating the output signals corresponding to a completed bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;
 4. and means for gating the clock pulses to halt the ring counter whenever an output appears at one of the plurality of ''''and'''' gates whereby the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines is halted until completion of processing of the bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine; D. means for multiplexing said gated output signals from the ticket issue machines to provide a serial signal for transmission to the central computer; E. means for transmitting said serial signal; F. multiplex decoder means at the central computer location for decoding said transmitted serially multiplexed signal into a plurality of parallel output signals; G. second gating means for sequentially gating said parallel output signals in groups corresponding to the off-track ticket issue machines for input to the central computer for processing and acknowledgment; H. means for generating an acknowledge signal at the central computer; I. means for transmitting the acknowledge signal to the offtrack location at which the bet transaction originated; J. means for receiving an acknowledge signal at the off-track location transmitted from the central computer and for gating said signal to provide a ticket issue signal to the corresponding ticket issue machine from which the bet transaction originated; K. and means for locking the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine until the bet transaction data has been processed and acknowledged by the central computer and a ticket has been issued by the machine and means for terminating the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine upon issuance of the ticket whereby the first gating means is restarted to continue sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines.
 2. clock means for generating clock pulses for stepping said ring counter;
 2. An automated off-track betting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided means for sensing a malfunction of a ticket issue machine in failing to issue a ticket upon receipt of an acknowledge signal and for enabling said first gating means to restart sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising: a first ''''and'''' gate having as a first input the acknowledge signal received from the central computer to initiate issuance of a ticket from a ticket issue machine and having as a second input the transaction sense signal of the ticket issue machine; a time delay element in the output line from said ''''and'''' gate having a time delay longer by a specified amount than the normal time required for the ticket issue machine to issue a ticket in response to the acknowledge signal and shut off the transaction sense signal; a failure alarm coupled to the output from the said time delay; a latch circuit coupled to the output from said time delay set by a signal propagating from the time delay; and a second gate for gating the transaction sense signal from the ticket issue machine with the output from said latch circuit to block the transaction sense signal when the latch circuit is set so that the malfunctioning ticket issue machine is by-passed by the sequential scanning means.
 2. clock means for generating clock pulses for stepping said ring counter;
 3. a plurality of ''''and'''' gates in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines, and ''''and'''' gate having a first input from the output of a different one of the stages of the ring counter and a second input coupled with the transaction sense signal from a different one of said ticket issue machines whereby an enable signal appears at the output of one of said ''''and'''' gates upon the coincidence of a ring counter output signal and a transaction sense signal at the input of said ''''and'''' gate for gating the output signals corresponding to a completed bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;
 3. a plurality of ''''and'''' gates in number equal to the number of ticket issue machines, each ''''and'''' gate having a first input from the output of a different one of the stages of the ring counter and a second input coupled with the transaction sense signal from a different one of said ticket issue machines whereby an enable signal appears at the output of one of said ''''and'''' gates upon the coincidence of a ring counter output signal and a transaction sense signal at the input of said ''''and'''' gate for gating the output signals corresponding to a completed bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine;
 3. An automated off-track betting system for use with a central computer comprising: A. a plurality of ticket issue machines at off track locations, each machIne adapted to permit selection and entry of input data comprising a proposed bet transaction and provide parallel output signals corresponding to the input data each machine further adapted to provide a transaction sense signal upon entry of a complete bet transaction and to respond to appropriate acknowledge signals for issuing tickets; B. means for digitally encoding the output signals from the ticket issued machines; C. first gating means for sequentially gating the output signals from said ticket issue machines in groups corresponding to bet transactions at the ticket issue machines including means for sequentially scanning the outputs from said ticket issue machines, means for sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal at each machine, means for halting said scanning means at a ticket issue machine upon sensing the presence of a transaction sense signal indicating entry of a complete bet transaction, means for passing the output signals corresponding to the bet transaction through the gating means for processing, and means for restarting said scanning means through the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines comprising:
 4. and means for gating the clock pulses to halt the ring counter whenever an output appears at one of the plurality of ''''and'''' gates whereby the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines is halted until completion of processing of the bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine; D. and, means for multiplexing said gated output signals from the ticket issue machines to provide a serial signal for transmission to the central computer.
 4. and means for gating the clock pulses to halt the ring counter whenever an output appears at one of the plurality of ''''and'''' gates whereby the sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines is halted until completion of processing of the bet transaction at the corresponding ticket issue machine; D. means for multiplexing said gated output signals from the ticket issue machines to provide a serial signal for transmission to the central computer; E. means for transmitting said serial signal; F. multiplex decoder means at the central computer location for decoding said transmitted serially multiplexed signal into a plurality of parallel output signals; G. second gating means for sequentially gating said parallel output signals in groups corresponding to the off-track ticket issue machines for input to the central computer for processing and acknowledgment; H. means for generating an acknowledge signal at the central computer; I. means for transmitting the acknowledge signal to the off-track location at which the bet transaction originated; J. means for receiving an acknowledge signal at the off-track location transmitted from the central computer and for gating said signal to provide a ticket issue signal to the corresponding ticket issue machine from which the bet transaction originated; K. and means for locking the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine until the bet transaction data has been processed and acknowledged by the central computer and a ticket has been issued by the machine and means for terminating the transaction sense signal from a particular ticket issue machine upon issuance of the ticket whereby the first gating means is restarted to continue sequential scanning of the outputs of the ticket issue machines. 